Civil Rights Congress
Encyclopedia
The Civil Rights Congress (CRC) was a civil rights organization formed in 1946 by a merger of the International Labor Defense
and the National Federation for Constitutional Liberties. It became known for involvement in civil rights cases such as the Trenton Six and justice for Isaiah Nixon. The CRC also held multiple high profile protests in Washington DC and at the UN. Due to its Communist Party affiliations, the CRC was cited as subversive and communist by U.S. President Harry S. Truman
's Attorney General Thomas Clark
(ILD) national secretary William Patterson
led the group throughout its existence. Frank Marshall Davis
served on the organizations National Executive Board. Patterson also headed, the Abraham Lincoln School
in Chicago
, with Davis also on the faculty and Board of Directors.
In December 1947, the National Negro Congress
was merged with the CRC. In 1951, the Civil Rights Congress issued its a petition to the United Nations
entitled, "We Charge Genocide: The Crime of Government Against the Negro People
".
International Labor Defense
The International Labor Defense was a legal defense organization in the United States, headed by William L. Patterson. It was a US section of International Red Aid organisation, and associated with the Communist Party USA. It defended Sacco and Vanzetti, was active in the civil rights and...
and the National Federation for Constitutional Liberties. It became known for involvement in civil rights cases such as the Trenton Six and justice for Isaiah Nixon. The CRC also held multiple high profile protests in Washington DC and at the UN. Due to its Communist Party affiliations, the CRC was cited as subversive and communist by U.S. President Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman
Harry S. Truman was the 33rd President of the United States . As President Franklin D. Roosevelt's third vice president and the 34th Vice President of the United States , he succeeded to the presidency on April 12, 1945, when President Roosevelt died less than three months after beginning his...
's Attorney General Thomas Clark
Thomas Clark
Thomas Clark may refer to:*T. H. Clark , American/Canadian geologist*Thomas Clark , Canadian businessman and political figure*Thomas Clark , composer of West Gallery music...
Leadership under William Patterson
International Labor DefenseInternational Labor Defense
The International Labor Defense was a legal defense organization in the United States, headed by William L. Patterson. It was a US section of International Red Aid organisation, and associated with the Communist Party USA. It defended Sacco and Vanzetti, was active in the civil rights and...
(ILD) national secretary William Patterson
William L. Patterson
William L. Patterson was a leader in the Communist Party USA and head of the International Labor Defense, a group that offered legal representation to communists, trade unionists, and African-Americans in cases involving issues of political or racial persecution...
led the group throughout its existence. Frank Marshall Davis
Frank Marshall Davis
Frank Marshall Davis was an American journalist, poet, and political and labor movement activist.-Early life:...
served on the organizations National Executive Board. Patterson also headed, the Abraham Lincoln School
Abraham Lincoln School
The Abraham Lincoln School for Social Sciences of Chicago, Illinois was a "broad,nonpartisan school for workers, writers, and their sympathizers," aimed at...
in Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
, with Davis also on the faculty and Board of Directors.
In December 1947, the National Negro Congress
National Negro Congress
The National Negro Congress is an organization which was put into place by the Communist Party of the United States of America in 1935 at Howard University. It was a popular front organization created with the goal of fighting for Black liberation and was the successor to the League of Struggle for...
was merged with the CRC. In 1951, the Civil Rights Congress issued its a petition to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
entitled, "We Charge Genocide: The Crime of Government Against the Negro People
We Charge Genocide
"We Charge Genocide: The Crime of Government Against the Negro People", often shorted to "We Charge Genocide", was a petition presented to the United Nations in 1951, arguing that the U.S...
".
Further reading
- Report on Civil Rights Congress as a communist front organization. Investigation of un-American activities in the United States, Committee on Un-American Activities, House of Representatives, Eightieth Congress, first session. Washington, U.S. Govt. Print. Off. September 2, 1947.
External links
- Civil Rights Congress (1946-1956) A history of the CRC at BlackPast.org.